Advanced Maintenance Officer Training - A Focus on AMMOS: Return on Investment...Staying the Course
Abstract
Given recent force reductions, fewer maintenance officers are leading and managing the maintainers who ensure an ever-increasing aging weapon system fleet remains combat ready -- a fleet that now averages approximately 24 years. The need exists for aircraft maintenance and munitions officers to remain trained and developed in preparation for the challenges ahead. The desired Advanced Maintenance/Munitions Officer School (AMMOS) outcome is a graduated officer who is better enabled to 1) produce 2) instruct and 3) advise upon return to their wing and/or in the forward deployed environment. Given the length and cost of an advanced functional training course, and in light of diminishing personnel resources, the training investment in terms of time, costs, and loss of personnel for approximately 4 months deserves reflection with respect to its return on investment (ROI).Objectively-measurable ROI that links organizational improvements directly to AMMOS graduates training (or any training for that matter) remains a challenge with respect to isolating organizational impacts solely due to training. Arguably, improvements in performance are only partially due to training and education programs. This paper explores the costs associated with AMMOS, comparison with other Air Force schools curricula, sentiments expressed by senior maintenance leaders and graduated AMMOS students, and possible alternative courses of action. In the final analysis and at least for the near term, the 7-year old AMMOS should be retained as it continues to evolve as a more mature learning institution and the maintenance leaders in the field mature as well with respect to utilizing graduates from the advanced school.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 17, 2010
- Accession Number
- AD1018527
Entities
People
- Scott T. Fike
Organizations
- Air War College